Getting To Know The Under Armour All-Americans: Tianna Wallpher

The ninth annual Under Armour All-America Lacrosse Classic will take place on Saturday, July 12th at Towson University's Johnny Unitas Stadium. The classic, featuring both a boys and girls senior All-American game, will kick off at 5pm as the top high school seniors in the men's game will take the field. Immediately following at 7:30pm, the women's game will kick off.

Both the North and South rosters on the women's side feature 23 of the top incoming college freshmen and this week we'll be featuring a number from both squads in our "Getting To Know The Under Armour All-Americans" Q&A series.

(Photo Courtesy: Tianna Wallpher)

The Under Armour All-America File:

Name: Tianna Wallpher

High School: Mt. Hebron

College: UMBC

Position: Defense

Height: 5'5

Stats & Honors: Defensive Player of The Year for Varsity Sports Network (2014), First Team All-Metro for Baltimore Sun (2014), Washington Post First Team All-Metro (2014), Honorable Nention US Lacrosse All-American (2014), Defensive MVP for Mt. Hebron (2013 & 2014), First team All County (2013 & 2014), Played on the Baltimore Metro Team "Team 1" (2013), Played for Baltimore in the Under Armour Underclassmen Tournament (2013), and Second team all county (Sophomore year). Stats for high school career include 48 charges, 133 ground balls, 111 caused turnovers, 38 draw controls, 12 goals, and 14 assists.

Other Sports: Basketball and Field Hockey

ILWomen Questions:

ILW: You’ve had a tremendously successful lacrosse career thus far, what was the highlight of your high school lacrosse career?

TW: I would say winning the regional championship my sophomore year and winning the county championship this past season.

ILW: What are you most looking forward to improving on at the next level?

TW: I look forward to improving everything about my game and becoming a better player each year.

ILW: What is the most exciting game you’ve ever been a part of?

TW: There have been so many games out of the four years that I will never forget. Some of those games were in basketball, other ones in field hockey, and a few in lacrosse. If I had to choose one game, it'd be the regional championship game for lacrosse my sophomore year. The game was so intense and it was a a hard fought battle all the way until the last whistle.

ILW: What was it like hearing the news that you were selected to one of the Under Armour All-American senior rosters?

TW: I was shocked and overwhelmed with joy and excitement. I was/am so honored that they picked me to play in the game to represent the area. There have been so many great players who had been a part of the game in the past, and that makes it even more special that I will be a part of that group forever.

ILW: You’ve played with and/or have gotten to know a number of the other participants that will be taking the field in the 2014 Under Armour All-America Lacrosse Classic. Who are some of those players you’re most looking forward to playing with or against?

TW: I look forward to playing with everyone, but some of the UA players are people who I have had to guard many times over the years such as Megan Whittle and Taylor Hensh, so I really look forward to playing with them rather than playing against them.

ILW: The college recruiting process can be a long one. What was it about UMBC that made you know that it was where you wanted to spend your college days?

TW: Everything that had to do with the school. The education, the team, the program, and the coaches especially. I just knew right away that UMBC was where I wanted to be. The coaches believed in me since day one, and have since supported me throughout my high school career.

ILW: Who are some current college players you’re most looking forward to play with and playing against over the next four years?

TW: I look forward to playing against anyone in a different colored jersey. I also look forward to playing with everyone on UMBC. They all have great attitudes and are all great players, so I know I will be learning a lot from them and improving my game.

Overtime:

My favorite U.S. Team player is: Katie Hertsch

My favorite professional sports team is: Baltimore Orioles

If I wasn’t playing lacrosse in college, I’d be: Playing Field Hockey

The last vacation I went on was to: The Outer Banks, North Carolina

If I could cast an actor to play me in a movie, it would be: Jennifer Lawrence

If I could have lunch with anyone in the world tomorrow, it would be: Katy Perry